Lambert said: "I'm sure it will be early to bed and training on the beach in the morning, that's all."

But if anyone deserves to let his hair down, it's Rickie Lambert - the 21-year-old tyro who set the Moss Rose alight this year. Starting and finishing 35 games at the Moss Rose, he scored 10 goals and was a permanent fixture under new manager David Moss.

On joining Stockport earlier this week, his first thought was how much he would miss the tiny Moss Rose club: "I don't want to pick anyone out because they are the best set of players ever. You couldn't get a better bunch of blokes."

He added: "I loved the fans - they were absolutely brilliant with me, just brilliant. From the very start I just could not believe how they kept shouting out my name."

He then added: "I even got some great reports in the Press and everyone at the club was extremely fair."

Lambert will now be one of Carlton's Kids at Stockport and said: "I cannot believe how young the squad is. Everyone is my age or younger and that's great.

"I've been told I'm going to be playing as the middle man in a three man midfield and it's my job to get on the ball as much as possible."

Versatile

A complete modern footballer with great versatility, Lambert played striker, wide left, wide right, centre midfield and just behind the front two during his time at Macc.

He said: "I only started playing in the role in my last two games, but I really enjoyed that and would hope to get another chance with Stockport, it's up to Mr Palmer - I'm just delighted to get a go at another level."

He added that his favourite moment was the Luton game and the second of his hat-trick goals when he chested down the ball 35 yards out and then hit the roof of the net with a stunning volley.

He continued: "I was looking forward to next season, I thought we were going to do very well I thought we were going to be fighting for promotion and the play-offs at least.

" If David Moss gets a couple of good players, promotion for Macc is definitely on next season," he predicts.

He then paid tribute to two of the club's older pros, apparently not on the plane to Magaluf: "It's hard to single anyone out, but Kevin Keen was fantastic. The way he could still run and play the way he does at his age. He's still a brilliant player and also John Askey - both men have been a great example to me."